Chapter Six

Samantha's POV.

Everyone in the locker room burst into wild and uncontrollable laughter.

Everyone except Adrian.

They must think that I have lost my mind for coming up with such a bet, and yes, I freaking was out of my mind.

I held my breath longer than it took Adrian to answer.

The teammates' laughter died down after a minute. I wasn't the only one anxious to hear Adrian's reply.

Adrian drew in a long breath, hitched his shoulder and cocked his head.

“No.”

“What? You can't back out of a challenge.”

He was about to leave, so I quickly blocked him from walking away.

“Don't tell me the big bad Adrian Volkov is too chicken to compete with me.”

He let out a sad scoff.

“I only accept real challenges, not one from a wimp like you.”

That shook more laughter from the guys around

This encounter was my one chance to prove myself and let them stop treating me like some pushover.

I can't let it slip

“Come on, Adrian, take him on. It'll be fun.” Jimmy encouraged

Adrian only cast him a sideways glance, and it silenced him.

He sucked his teeth and closed the small gap between us.

"Okay, Donovan, since you've made it your life's mission to beat me. I'll only accept your challenge when I see that you have what it takes to come after me. Right now, you aren't shit.”

He nudged my shoulder with his, and so did the other guys as they filed out.

I looked down at my trembling hands. I didn't even realise they were shaking the whole time.

Fine, if that's what he wants. Then I'll make him see me.

But first, I have to clean up that mess in the locker room.

I grabbed some supplies from the cleaning closet and set to work.

They were already practicing when I finished.

I didn't need an interpreter to tell me how pissed the coach was at me.

The day's practice was no different than the last time.

In fact, it was worse. My back touched the ground more than ten times that morning.

“On your feet, Donovan.” The coach kept yelling.

My legs have never ached so badly in my entire life.

Adrian circled me, an evil smirk on his face

“It'll take a hundred years before you catch up to me.” He jeered.

“That's it, practice is over.” The coach shouted.

I didn't move from the ground. I felt utterly weak to the bones.

“I'm sure you have classes, Donovan.” The coach shouted again.

Then he was gone. I don't know how long I lay on the ground for.

just enough to muster enough strength to walk at least.

There were still classes to take aside from hockey practice, and I have to keep up with that.

Gosh, it was going to be a lot.

First, I need to take breakfast at the school's cafeteria.

The second I stepped in, everyone became hushed. All eyes were on me.

It was one thing to be the center of attention with my teammates, then another with a multitude of students.

‘Ignore them, Sammy. Act like they aren't there.’ I whispered to myself.

I grabbed a tray and joined the moving queue nervously.

Every table I moved to was either occupied or the occupants didn't want me in their midst.

Automatically, I have become a loser because I dared to challenge the great Adrian Volkov.

No worries, I was isolated from my family for a good six years.

A bunch of high school students should have nothing on me

My ass had barely touched the empty seat when a tall frame cast a shadow across from me

"Zeke!" I almost squeaked.

“What are you doing here?”

He placed his tray gently on the table, an eyebrow raised at my question.

“To eat, just like everyone else.”

“Ohhh, I thought no one wanted to get associated with me.”

He didn't respond, just began eating.

I looked around us. Eyes were glancing at us, obviously.

Including Adrian and his crew.

“Will Adrian not get upset about you sitting with me?”

He looked up from his meal, stopped chewing for a second and swallowed.

“Adrian doesn't control what I do.”

“But he's your cousin,” I started.

“Yeah, cousins, not my dad or my elder brother.”

The way he said it, like he's the only person Adrian can't control.

“There's something different about you.” He pointed with the fork.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Me?” I let out a nervous giggle.

“It's still the same old me, Samuel Donovan.”

“I know your name. There's just something different. What's with the sudden interest in hockey and challenging Adrian? Do you have a desire to die??

I don't understand, does aspiring for greatness imply a desire for death??

“I won't sit back and allow myself to get bullied," I said stubbornly.

He waved the fork again.

“This right here is what I was talking about; everything about you is different now, especially the way you stand up for yourself.”

Does this mean he suspects I am not Samuel?

“It's good for you; keep it up.” He added.

“Erm, thanks," I said awkwardly.

After a moment of silence, I spoke.

“I still have to make Adrian take up that challenge though.”

Zeke finally dropped his fork on the tray, and it gave a clattering sound. He wiped his mouth with a napkin, very slowly.

“Sorry to burst your rising bubble. I admire your newfound spirit, but that can never happen.”

Why does everyone think that Adrian Volkov is unbeatable?

I gripped the edge of the table so tightly that some particles scraped into my nails.

That is why I am here, to prove them all wrong.

“Zeke, I need your help to train harder and be someone Adrian can see as worthy of accepting his challenge.”

He looked at me as though I were crazy.

He may not be as good as Adrian, but he is good enough to help me stand on my feet.